What would you change first?

poison7fl · August 13, 2013

Well lets see if me having to order 2 beers at the begining of dinner because if i don't i know i will never get another drink thats a indication of needing more waiters....i never had to do that till about 2008 or 2009. And about some Carnival cheerleaders going to other lines i read it on here right from the source.I also agree a very small percentage of Carnival cruisers are on here. And i don't trust polls cause they only ask certain people. With that said i love Carnival. Yes i agree you don't need a travel agent but i was just answering someones post and i agreed. Carnival doesn't want outside people doing the bookings and yet as much as i have had great vacation planners from Carnival you will never get the same service as the person down the street.

Cruise Critic is not a very accurate "source".

Not sure of your goal with this thread?

JerseyshoreBruce · August 13, 2013

Cruise Critic is not a very accurate "source".

Not sure of your goal with this thread?

My goal was opinions on what you would change....CC is not my favorite site anymore as i loved it years ago.....the more you learn (know) the worse it gets on CC....too many know-it-alls and no opinions or fun anymore here

okgirl · August 13, 2013

not sure what you are asking for but income is up, profits are way up, occupancy is up, what needs turning around?

I've been happy with Carnival. Of course there are different things people like, but nothing to turn around. I, for instance, hate steel drums...too corny while on a caribbean vacation.

I agree, nothing to turn around.

And I'm not having any trouble in the MDR. The waitstaff is attentive and friendly, I don't think we've ever received a wrong order and since YTD came about almost always ask us to be seated in their section every night.

Maybe we have such a good experience because we're friendly to the crew where ever we encounter them. I see so many people especially in the MDR that don't ever say please or thank you when being served.

emcemt · August 13, 2013

My goal was opinions on what you would change....CC is not my favorite site anymore as i loved it years ago.....the more you learn (know) the worse it gets on CC....too many know-it-alls and no opinions or fun anymore here

So true!!!

poison7fl · August 13, 2013

My goal was opinions on what you would change....CC is not my favorite site anymore as i loved it years ago.....the more you learn (know) the worse it gets on CC....too many know-it-alls and no opinions or fun anymore here

I agree with that!

Too many debby downers and doomsday gloomers.....

JerseyshoreBruce · August 13, 2013

I agree, nothing to turn around.

And I'm not having any trouble in the MDR. The waitstaff is attentive and friendly, I don't think we've ever received a wrong order and since YTD came about almost always ask us to be seated in their section every night.

Maybe we have such a good experience because we're friendly to the crew where ever we encounter them. I see so many people especially in the MDR that don't ever say please or thank you when being served.

They are always friendly and do their best too. We have stayed in touch through emails with lots of the staff....my wife calls me Chatty Cathy cause i talk to and have fun with everyone and never got a wrong order either and we always leave our wait staff a huge tip at the end of the cruise....so i think you misunderstood the post.

JerseyshoreBruce · August 13, 2013

Im not leaving Carnival as they have always gone that extra mile for me....just do miss some of the things they have done in the past and wanted to know what you wanted added or changed....I love Carnival....in fact the funny thing is most videos i see on youtube with stupid stuff happening or such has been on other cruiselines.

JaxGuy · August 13, 2013

I agree Bruce, my 1st move would be to return the dining room service levels to the way they were. The MDR was always one of my favorite parts of cruising due to the excellent food and superb service. These days it is hit or miss so I find myself going to the MDR less often.

It is funny that people question whether or not some regulars (yes, I realize you said SOME) are leaving Carnival. I personally know several people that have decided to move on and it is almost impossible to visit Cruise Critic without seeing a post from a loyal CCL fan that is ready to move on and try another line due to the change in the overall experience.

For me, it is still the best vacation for the price I'll continue to cruise them as long as their fares are the lowest and I don't have to cook my own food or clean my own cabin. ;)

TwinPrincessMermaids · August 13, 2013

I loved my 2007 and 2011 CCLs. My 2012 service started to slip in some areas but still good. I did not care for my 2013 CCL experience and it is going to be VERY VERY hard to convince me to come back to CCL. But I do want them to do well as a brand because I used to be very happy with them.

The MDR and buffet service was awful. Self service for coffee for breakfast in the MDR? Does anyone think that's ok? Speaking of self service, no cups or coffee in the buffet either.

So train the servers to communicate and don't overwhelm and work them to death. I remember when cruise lines would clean up the bread crumbs off your table (DCL still does) and even cut up your steak for you. This time, I was shushed and told to wait when all I wanted to ask for was a cup of tea.

Second is their sell sell sell business model. It used to be you could get on somewhat cheaper and expect them to try and sell you some stuff. (Not necessarily talking about spa, gold by the inch or art.) Now, you can't go anywhere without being pestered to buy drinks! What can I get you? Water? Ok....and server NEVER comes back. And let me take your picture! One after the other! When did that start? Buy buy buy Bingo! Come to the theater 30 min early for a seat...and play some bingo while you are there! Bingo cards for sale in the aisles, you dont even have to get up! Let's put trivia or karaoke right next to the casino...see if we can tempt some suckers...etc.

These are the reasons I didn't enjoy my cruise. I will buy something if I want to, but being guilted into it (like some said about 'if you buy a towel book from me, I get a day off!') does not a vacation make.

And if you think this is how EVERY CRUISE LINE OUT THERE DOES IT, then you are wrong. I learned recently that is not the case. Yes, I paid more up front and got a lot more and didn't feel guilty for enjoying every minute of it without pay up pay up how bout a tip etc.

JerseyshoreBruce · August 13, 2013

I agree Bruce, my 1st move would be to return the dining room service levels to the way they were. The MDR was always one of my favorite parts of cruising due to the excellent food and superb service. These days it is hit or miss so I find myself going to the MDR less often.

It is funny that people question whether or not some regulars (yes, I realize you said SOME) are leaving Carnival. I personally know several people that have decided to move on and it is almost impossible to visit Cruise Critic without seeing a post from a loyal CCL fan that is ready to move on and try another line due to the change in the overall experience.

For me, it is still the best vacation for the price I'll continue to cruise them as long as their fares are the lowest and I don't have to cook my own food or clean my own cabin. ;)

haha so true....by the way i am jealous of all you Floridians being so close to a port with so many options! My favorite port is Tampa and Miami a close 2nd which i will be sailing out of in a few weeks

JerseyshoreBruce · August 13, 2013

oh yeah i miss the trays to carry your stuff in the buffet....i might move that to #1 change...lol

Aplmac · August 13, 2013

I agree, nothing to turn around.

And I'm not having any trouble in the MDR.

The waitstaff is attentive and friendly, I don't think we've ever received a wrong order

and since YTD came about almost always ask us to be seated in their section every night.

Maybe we have such a good experience because we're friendly to the crew where ever we encounter them.

I see so many people especially in the MDR that don't ever say please or thank you when being served.

Like you I have no MDR complaints (in seven Carnival cruises)

I'd change one thing.

bring back the fuel surcharge at around $2(or less?) per person per day.

Oh you'd forgotten about that, had you? :) -and might that be the reason for the quality cuts?

The enhanced revenue would go a long way to rectify a lot of the cost-cutting

but nobody wants to hear about a fuel surcharge! :eek:

Isn't it amazing how we want all the plusses, but no minuses. :D

.

mikel24m · August 13, 2013

They are always friendly and do their best too. We have stayed in touch through emails with lots of the staff....my wife calls me Chatty Cathy cause i talk to and have fun with everyone and never got a wrong order either and we always leave our wait staff a huge tip at the end of the cruise....so i think you misunderstood the post.

Our last cruise we had a 3 person team and they were awesome.Service has always been good that I can remember even with just a server and assistant.

What I would change is make everything consistent on every ship!!!

Check the website today and maybe your BV prices will change tomorrow :) Really no email to those booked ,maybe a notice of price increases.Pretty big company to have such a poor IT team ;)

The casino players club really is bad.We love to gamble and spend a lot of money onboard in the casino and this cruise coming up we get $75 each and nothing else!! We don't even qualify for the fruit basket that I can buy for $50 from BV what a joke.The little things make people happy(and spending money).This makes me save money on Carnival which I will never understand why someone hasn't figured this out at corporate

Another change I would love is for the lines to track and reward people who spend money.for instance...

We gamble,pick our balcony cabin,buy pictures,buy bottles from BV,do chefs tables and some people cruise for $499 for the week and don't spend another penny onboard

I understand not everyone who travels has a lot of money(and I don't either) but we all save and plan our trip and activities so why not reward people who spend money

I am a cheerleader though

JaxGuy · August 13, 2013

oh yeah i miss the trays to carry your stuff in the buffet....i might move that to #1 change...lol

Amen! I miss having those trays so I could make one trip to the buffet. LOL Come to think of it though, I haven't been gaining as much during my cruises since they did away with them. :eek:

Seriously though, the trays were nice and I really appreciated back when there was always staff available in the buffet areas to assist elderly passengers, offer to get refills, help find tables, etc. You still see it but not as much.

mikel24m · August 13, 2013

Like you I have no MDR complaints (in seven Carnival cruises)

I'd change one thing.

bring back the fuel surcharge at around $2(or less?) per person per day.

Oh you'd forgotten about that, had you? :) -and might that be the reason for the quality cuts?

The enhanced revenue would go a long way to rectify a lot of the cost-cutting

but nobody wants to hear about a fuel surcharge! :eek:

Isn't it amazing how we want all the plusses, but no minuses. :D

.

;) okay I have to go here :)

Lets add the fuel surcharge and add the service charges for the staff and make prices reflect the added fees for everyone

JerseyshoreBruce · August 13, 2013

;) okay I have to go here :)

Lets add the fuel surcharge and add the service charges for the staff and make prices reflect the added fees for everyone

I would be okay with that....whats 2.00 per day per person....notbad :)

mikel24m · August 13, 2013

I loved my 2007 and 2011 CCLs. My 2012 service started to slip in some areas but still good. I did not care for my 2013 CCL experience and it is going to be VERY VERY hard to convince me to come back to CCL. But I do want them to do well as a brand because I used to be very happy with them.

The MDR and buffet service was awful. Self service for coffee for breakfast in the MDR? Does anyone think that's ok? Speaking of self service, no cups or coffee in the buffet either.

So train the servers to communicate and don't overwhelm and work them to death. I remember when cruise lines would clean up the bread crumbs off your table (DCL still does) and even cut up your steak for you. This time, I was shushed and told to wait when all I wanted to ask for was a cup of tea.

Second is their sell sell sell business model. It used to be you could get on somewhat cheaper and expect them to try and sell you some stuff. (Not necessarily talking about spa, gold by the inch or art.) Now, you can't go anywhere without being pestered to buy drinks! What can I get you? Water? Ok....and server NEVER comes back. And let me take your picture! One after the other! When did that start? Buy buy buy Bingo! Come to the theater 30 min early for a seat...and play some bingo while you are there! Bingo cards for sale in the aisles, you dont even have to get up! Let's put trivia or karaoke right next to the casino...see if we can tempt some suckers...etc.

These are the reasons I didn't enjoy my cruise. I will buy something if I want to, but being guilted into it (like some said about 'if you buy a towel book from me, I get a day off!') does not a vacation make.

And if you think this is how EVERY CRUISE LINE OUT THERE DOES IT, then you are wrong. I learned recently that is not the case. Yes, I paid more up front and got a lot more and didn't feel guilty for enjoying every minute of it without pay up pay up how bout a tip etc.

They cut staff to keep cruising cheap for some so added duties for most staff :)

They make money only on gambling, pictures,shopping,and drinking, so those things are pushed

That's why cruises are cheaper (and everything else in the world more expensive) than the 90s